Gender in video games: Creativity for inclusivity

TL;DR

This paper explores gender inclusivity in video game localisation, analyzing translation techniques used to represent diverse gender identities and characters to promote inclusivity.

Contribution

It introduces the specific challenges of gender representation in video game localisation and analyzes techniques from real game corpora to enhance inclusivity.

Findings

Identification of translation strategies for gender diversity

Analysis of corpora with diverse gender characters

Recommendations for inclusive localisation practices

Abstract

Video game localisation, a field highly impacted by the lack of visual environment and text linearity, forces translators to create inclusive solutions in terms of gender to overcome the hurdles created by variables. This paper will introduce the specificities of this sector and present an analysis of some of those techniques extracted from parallel corpora compiled from video games that include female, transgender, non-binary, and non-sexualised characters.